History Comes Alive: Recent Episodes
Jeff Nichols
Join host Jeff Nichols for a weekly deep-dive into a specific era of history!
Learn more about Jeff and connect with him through his website: https://historywithjeff.com
After the Civil Wars, after Ireland and Scotland had been tamed, the focus turned to national governance. Oliver Cromwell and the New Model Army were in control. The balance between Cromwell and Parliament was never met. There were several Parliaments called and dismissed. Although the Commonwealth had some successes at home and abroad, the people were miserable. It seems it had been easier to be the opposition than to lead. Cromwell's hold on power was total with the help of his Army. When he died, there was no one that could take his place... the Commonwealth was over... and Charles II was coming quickly.
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The death of Charles I did not end the controversy or the terror in England. It did not end the controversy or terror in Ireland. It did not end the controversy or terror in Scotland. In fact, it may have just begun... In this episode, we look at the Irish Campaign of Oliver Cromwell with a brief overview of two of his most famous, or infamous, victories, through not only the lens of the historic narrative, but Cromwell's own words. It will set the stage for his final chapter and the Restoration of the Stuart line in England.
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After Charles fled London, it only got worse. There was trouble in England. There was trouble in Scotland. There was trouble in Ireland. The emergence of Oliver Cromwell changed the dynamics. The Scots had helped the Parliamentarians, but they were not as successful when it came to Charles. The New Model Army thrived. The Regicides did the unthinkable. In the end, Oliver Cromwell was in complete control... but there would be fallout.
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What do the Jay Treaty, the Logan Act, Fries' Rebellion, and the Alien and Sedition Acts have to do with this time? Are they all connected? We are taking a short break from our series on Charles I this week. Instead we will be discussing the XYZ Affair. The 1790s in America were almost as messy as the 1640s in England. There was trouble with both France and England. The United States had treaties with both nations, and those treaties conflicted. When the French Revolution wiped the Monarchy away, war with England was inevitable. The combination of the conflicting treaties and the expectation for the United States allegiance further divided American politics. When the French minister, Genet, tried to use the United States as a staging area for France to attack both England and Spain, there was resentment. When the French minister Talleyrand attempted to bribe the United States, there were calls for war... and there actually was a two year Quasi War fought from 1798-1800. President John Adams made a lot of mistakes during these tense years, but in the end, he may have saved the country. There are a lot of lessons here for our day.
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As 1641 rolled into 1642, there was a monumental political battle that took place in London. A political chess match that forever changed the English government. It would be the catalyst for change throughout the "Western" world. In the end, John Pym would force Charles I to flee England. John Pym's creativity and tenacity helped write the preamble for so many revolutions to come. For Charles, it was the beginning of the end. The actions in December and January would lead to 9 years of Civil War and the beheading of Charles I; the theater was better than fiction! In this episode, you are invited to watch this epic battle for control as it plays itself out.
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As Charles wrestled with the Scottish invasion and a necessary Parliament, the Irish rebelled and complicated everything. The Earl of Strafford, a trusted advisor, was in the crosshairs of John Pym. The politics of the 1640s was off to a roaring start! The walls seemed to be closing in on Charles; the world was changing, and every move was critical. Would he rise to the occasion, or would his pride and personal conviction get the better of him?
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Over the course of his reign, Charles I had made a lot of enemies. He managed to insult just about everybody at one time or another. Nothing compared to what happened with Scotland. This was a situation he had created that could not be ignored. They would not let it go. He needed help. He needed Parliament to raise the necessary funds to put down the rebellion. When he finally called a Parliament, it did not go well. They were quickly dismissed only to be called again a short time later. What he found was that Parliament was as unforgiving as the Scots. What he also found was his greatest rival, John Pym. Their political chess match would change the course of English Politics.
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King Charles found a way to survive without Parliament. He found creative ways to collect revenue. In spite of a round of plague, the 1630s were not so bad in England. But Charles found a way to aggravate not only the "system" but the people as well, in all levels of society. Once his work was done in England, he moved to Scotland. Taking direct aim at Presbyterian worship, he managed to unify the nation against him... there would be no appeasement. Charles and his Bishops had sparked a movement that would grow to a raging inferno... and he would get burned.
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Perspective is a funny thing. Tricky. Charles I was never popular with Parliament. From the start, his autocratic approach was in direct conflict with the Parliamentarians. So, he dissolved Parliament for over a decade. To raise funds, he leaned on ancient and questionable taxes. Through Forced Loans and Ship Money, he managed to turn a lot of the people against him. What was the legality of these taxes? The question to ask is, was Charles the hero or the villain? Was he operating within the law or breaking it? From one of the illustrations we looked at, was he a "highwayman" or a "bastard"?
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What happens when an autocratic Anglican King crosses a Puritan Parliament? Disaster. In this episode, we will introduce King Charles I with a short biography and a peek inside the lifestyle of this Scottish king. He was a totalitarian at heart. Parliament did not like his policies, his advisor (or Minister), or his wife. What happened was both predictable and tragic. What happened changed the course of English politics. In time, it would change the colonial landscape as well.
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As the English were solidifying their colonies in New England and the Caribbean, there remained a contested but largely unsettled area from the Chesapeake through Georgia. The Spanish and French had been there. But in the opening decades of the 17th Century, this area was all but abandoned. It opened the door for Jamestown in 1608. Later, the English crown would focus on Carolina. Charles I had first recognized the value of Carolina. Then came political unrest and the Civil War. After the Restoration, Charles II succeeded where his father had failed. In those days, "Carolina" basically represented today's North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Spain had claimed the region, operating out of Florida. The French had been removed, banished. The English would not be so easy to block; they'd move right in... and take over; the initial settlers came from Barbados. They brought their way of life with them, and that would shape the culture of the colony for centuries.
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With the growing relationship between New England and Barbados, the economy stabilized. The North to South trade benefited everybody. Sugar and rum seemed to share a co-monarchy. They were KINGS! The East to West trade across the Atlantic promised more. Men like Emanuel Downing, John Smith, and Thomas Keyser advanced the idea and practice of African Slavery. Men like Samuel Sewall challenged the growing slave industry. Despite his efforts, the practice grew. The profits and investment throughout the North American colonies quickly advanced local economies and industries throughout the colonies. The backbone of the colonial resources was built around sugar and rum. Many of the emerging commercial enterprises would have a major impact, not just in the days leading up to the American Revolution, but after. This episode sets the stage for the expansion of Carribean slave plantations to the mainland, the Navigation Acts, Writs of Assistance, targeted taxation, and how it had a ripple effect across the colonial landscape.
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Once the relationship between the Puritan New England colonies and the their Puritan counterparts had begun, there was a lot of opportunity for both regions. One obstacle that had to be overcome was the temptation for northerners to relocate to the warmer south. The final voyage of Captain William Pierce would resolve any temptation for population migration on the part of the northern colonists. It was also one of the final solidifying events of Bostonian hegemony.
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Puritan New England, more specifically, Massachusetts Bay, never experienced a lack of colonists. Their population exploded almost from the start. What they did experience was a lack of hard currency. Even with all the natural resources and commercial opportunities it took a while to establish a stable economy. With the advent of trade between Boston and the Caribbean the economy took off. Although there were a lot of connections between the Northern colonies and their Southern counterparts, it took the vision and actions of one man to make these connections work for the financial advantage of New England. That man was Captain William Pierce. In this episode we'll meet Captain Pierce, a most remarkable and influential man who has been largely lost to history.
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As Puritan New England's population grew, they needed a sustainable economy. They needed an industry that could build wealth. They needed a commodity and a currency. For a season, those needs were met by wampum and fur. Although that economy would fail, it, like the initial trade triangle of codfish and wool, would help to stabilize their growing society for a time. It was a most necessary stop-gap that helped to carry them until trade routes were developed that brought hard currency, gold, and silver to the colony.
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They say necessity is the key to invention. The English colonies had needs. They were very resourceful. As we develop the Puritan economy, we want to begin by asking some basic questions. How would you build an economy from scratch? What would you do if you had limited access to hard currency but needed commodities? Is it enough to say you would use what you had? Puritan New England enjoyed a consistent influx of currency while the population exploded in the 1630s. But those resources were not enough to grow an economy, let alone sustain it. And, eventually, they slowed to a trickle. In this episode, we will talk about the emergence of Triangular Trade. A system that not only saved the New England Colonies, but helped to build them into one of the most powerful, dynamic economies of their day. The demands for codfish and wool across the Atlantic may have been just a stop gap, but it launched a shipping empire.
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How do you process and apply history? What do you really know about history in the first place? ...just trivia, or deep understanding that impacts your beliefs and actions? What's the purpose of government? ...and how does your understanding of history impact how you answer that question? Jeff joins Doug Stuart of the Libertarian Christian Podcast to answer these questions and more.
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Mercantilism was the theory that drove colonial economic activity. In today's episode, we will introduce its core concepts and how it functions. We'll view this definition through two historical examples: Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Colbert and The Boston Tea Party. These are like bookends to the larger conversation. Colbert on the left, to begin the conversation. The Boston Tea Party on the right, to end the conversation. It's a little different consideration than we are used to, but necessary for our narrative. As we move forward in the weeks ahead, we will fill in that middle portion where all the action took place.
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How is wealth created? Who is in charge of the mechanisms for building wealth? Much of what we consider the study of history is really the study of applied economic policies. In this episode, we focus on the contemporary systems we are all familiar with, at least in a trivial sense. Our main focus is Capitalism, but we will talk about other "isms" as well. The goal is to prepare for conversations about the political economics of the Puritans. They would not recognize the systems we have today. Mercantilism was emerging as a replacement for feudalism. It was a precursor to Capitalism. It was also its antithesis. To really understand what it was, it's a good idea to have something to compare it to. Understanding these principles helps us to understand and apply history in our own lives... in more areas than just finance, as we'll see.
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The topic of education is a HUGE deal, and it has massive implications. What does it mean to be educated? What value does education bring to a society? Does literacy matter? How focused should society be around the education of its young? Many of the aspects of Puritan education have been lost. Their strict and determined process would make many of us uncomfortable today. But their system worked. It created more than just a literate population. It catapulted their small isolated community above their contemporaries. We may dismiss much of the specifics, but we ought to revisit the model. The fundamental question for our generation is: What are we getting out of the system we have today? Is this really the best we can do? How does a society prepare their children when the educational system has lost its vision, its mandate to prepare the next generation to understand the world they live in?
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Puritan missions in New England were slow to start. Once they did, it became difficult to know where sincere evangelism ended and politics began. John Eliot received a lot of help to launch his missionary work, but there was a lot of controversy surrounding those efforts. In this episode, we will explore some of those controversies. They can tell us a lot about how deception can bring power and how that power can be wielded. Puritan missions in New England were slow to start. Once they did, it became difficult to know where sincere evangelism ended and the politics began. John Eliot received a lot of help to launch his missionary work. But there was a lot of controversy surrounding those efforts. In this episode, we will explore some of those controversies. They can tell us a lot about how deception can bring power and how that power can be yielded.
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If there is a sincere desire to succeed, one will often look to those who have already succeeded for guidance. Thomas Mayhew had been successful in missions. John Eliot and Massachusetts Bay did not look to Thomas Mayhew's example. His had been genuine. Instead, their commitment became political. It was through deception and determination that Puritan New England launched their missionary efforts. In this episode, we'll see the opening vollies of Puritan missions in New England.
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In the wake of so many controversies, there arose one more for the Puritan Oligarchy. This was in their wheelhouse and presumably should have been a slam dunk. It wasn't. The missionary efforts of The United Colonies, led by John Eliot, was marred with political intrigue and disappointing results. The records, the sentiments from those who were there, and the numeric results are a testimony not to doctrine, but to approach. Sometimes, the old adage really is true, "It's not what you say, but how you say it." In this two-part episode, we'll measure the efforts of John Eliot on the backdrop of Thomas Mayhew's work on Martha's Vineyard and the political activity of the Magistrates.
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Massachusetts Bay had been eyeing Narragansett Bay for a long time. They had been positioning themselves to absorb it. They were invited to come. Then they overreached. They scared the people that had invited them. They created a political firestorm. A legal firestorm that would be carried across the Atlantic. Although they won many battles and wrote the popular history of their day, they would not win this battle... Rhode Island would not be theirs. Join us and find out what happened!
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In a post-Pequot world, in a post-Miantonomo world, Narragansett Bay and all of Rhode Island was a coveted piece of property. The Puritans wanted it. All the Puritan groups. Even though they had formed the United Colonies, a formidable power block, they were still acting independently in their quest for land and treasure. Massachusetts Bay had the resources and manpower, not to mention the savvy, to frame the argument and control the narrative. Only one man really stood in their way. That man was Samuel Gorton. His one-man crusade to stand up to the magistrates of Massachusetts Bay opened the door to liberty for many people. He accomplished what many strong men and women could not: he beat the Magistrates of Massachusetts Bay at their own game. Check it out!
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Using the same playbook as with Sassacus, the English destroyed Miantonomo. Nobody is perfect, but he appears to have tried to accommodate and appease his English counterparts repeatedly. Even at the expense of his own culture and reputation. It did not change the outcome.
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In part three of our Trilogy on the Philosophy that drives the podcast "History Comes Alive", we will distill down the two questions: "What is the role of government?" and "What do you really know about American History?" into application. How do you process the history that you know? Does it move you to action? Are your opinions and emotions driven by your knowledge of history? Your convictions? What does that look like? How can history inspire us? Is the exercise of conviction mere mechanics, or is it utilitarian? Finally, what can Abraham Lincoln teach us about the knowledge, understanding, and application of history? Let's develop answers to these questions together.
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Last week we asked the question, "What's the Purpose of Government?" This week, we'll expand some of the principles we discussed and move the conversation forward. What do you really know about American History? Like last week, the idea behind the question is more philosophical than specific. Last week, we distilled the question down to two primary considerations, personal interest and personal rights. This week, we'll talk about the concepts of trivia and real knowledge. With the help of Socrates, George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, we will build a philosophical framework to help us as we move forward with the colonial narrative in just a few weeks.
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As we move past the pivotal Pequot War and more toward the development of the New England Colonies, we are going to take a few weeks and begin to develop an outline of the philosophical approach to government, from my perspective, under our current order, The Constitution of the United States of America. Thumbnail sketches. Fragments of thoughts that outline what we ended up with as a Federal Government. We will begin to fill in these outlines with color over the next year or two with colonial experiences and examples. So we begin with the question: What's the purpose of government? I hope you enjoy this brief field trip away from the actual narrative.
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It would seem reasonable that after the massacre at Mystic the remaining Pequots would have been able to simply escape into the landscape and slowly be absorbed into other native groups. They weren't. The English goal had shifted. They wanted to completely erase the Pequot name from the list of nations. Their efforts were relentless, and the results were tragic. Join us for a look at the final days of the Pequot nation.
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In the aftermath of a very lopsided English victory over the Pequots at Mystic, the English were forced to make a hasty retreat. Most of their native support abandoned them. The Pequots rallied, and the English fled. Sassacus, the main sachem of the Pequots did not fare much better.
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What does total war look like? Can a people suffer the effects of total war and survive? Can their will to continue be crushed? What if they still have fighting power and ability? As we work through the massacre at Mystic, you be the judge. Were the actions taken justified? How would you have felt during the battle? In the aftermath? As an Englishmen? As a Narragansett or Mohegan? As a Pequot? You be the judge.
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They say a house divided against itself cannot stand. Well, the Pequots in 1637 were one such house. We've developed a working model of their last several years as far as relationships to other people. We've seen how the Europeans had first traded with them and then tried to subvert their power and influence. We've talked about the Narragansetts and both groups of Niantics. We talked about the debilitating effect the smallpox epidemic had had on their population. Lastly, we talked about the murder of Tatobem, their main sachem, and Sassacus, his son and successor. He was not his equal when it came to leadership and the building of consensus, which is how the natives governed -- not by authoritarian or totalitarian rule, but consensus. The main sachemship was kind of dynastic, in that it was not unusual that it followed familial lines, but the true leaders arose through both a reputation for good decision making and the ability to form a consensus around important decisions. Although the leadership would normally stay in the bloodline, a change at the top could be a little messy... especially if that change came rapidly, with many "legitimate" claims. That's what we'll look at today... the enemy within.
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The Pequots made a statement when they attacked Wethersfield. The Englishmen responded. It took a while for them to get on the same page, but eventually they did. Massachusetts Bay was the first to declare war, but Connecticut was the first to truly mobilize. They had no choice. The war would be fought on their soil. As the initial party under John Mason was leaving for Saybrook, they were joined by an unlikely group. Uncas arrived with a motley band of various native groups with the intent to assist the English...he had his own motives...but he proved himself to be a valuable asset and friend...many times over.
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The Pequots had been treated unfairly by both the English and, to a lesser extent, the Dutch, for a long time. What would happen if the Pequots fought back? This week we'll see what happened at Wethersfield when the Pequots struck. We’ll also examine why they struck when they did.
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After a long lonely winter, Saybrook began to get the attention of both Massachusetts Bay and the other Connecticut settlements. How did that work? What were the motives? The Europeans had a very different mindset from the natives. Where did that come from? Was their collective world view and understanding of authority based on Niccolo Machiavelli? In this episode, we'll explore these questions.
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The winter of 1636-7 was a long and dangerous time for the folks at Saybrook Fort. Under siege and isolated. With the arrival of Thomas Stanton there would be one more meeting between the English at Saybrook and the Pequots. Stanton would be the interpreter. It did not go well. Who was Thomas Stanton, and what was his impact? What happened at the final Parlay? That's what we'll find out this week as we continue the march to total war.
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What were the conditions at Saybrook Fort? What did Edward Gibbon think about Saybrook and Lion Gardiner? Who were Thomas Hurlbut, Thomas Ramble, and Arthur Branch? What roles did they play in the Battle of the Burning Fields? These questions and more will be answered in this episode of History Comes Alive!
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What happens when you push a people too far? Who pays the price when the agitators come from far away, but leave their countrymen to deal with their actions? What is the value of having a trained military leader at these points? What happens if that trained military leader is ignored? Who was Matthew Mitchell? Find out in this episode of History Comes Alive!
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With the success of Roger Williams, the magistrates of Massachusetts Bay took the lead role in securing not just the neutrality of the Narragansetts in the coming war with the Pequots. They took the lead in securing Narragansett support. Full support on both offensive and defensive actions. Thus securing not only a powerful ally in the war to come, but also ensuring Boston and Plymouth were well protected. The war would be fought in distant Connecticut and not where the agitators lived. In this episode we'll find out how this change of heart occurred within the Narragansett camp?
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After the failed Saybrook Conference and expedition of John Endecott the English concern was growing. That concern was quelled from an unlikely source: Roger Williams. The recently exiled preacher would help to set the course for Puritan dominance for generations. Williams skillfully navigated the tough waters of both the current controversy revolving around the Pequots but also the persistent reputation of the English in general. Williams was masterful!
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The Conference at Saybrook had failed. The Block Island expedition had not yielded the results John Endecott had hoped for. Now, against the better judgement of Lion Gardiner, he would take his men and his mission to the heart of Pequot Country. He would again fail to accomplish his intended goals. Instead of humbling the Pequots, he provoked them into aggression... and the Connecticut region would never be the same.
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The Conference at Saybrook had failed. As far as the English were concerned, the time for diplomacy was passed. The Pequots were the designated enemy, but the Easter Niantics would also have to be put in their place. John Endicott was dispatched to dispense English justice. Block Island was his first stop.
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After the failure of the Saybrook Conference, the Pequots were even more isolated. Their options were limited. They were victims of paranoia and covetousness. It seems nothing they did helped to advance their cause, or the cause of peace. The rumors of Pequot viciousness toward the English never materialized. What the Narragansetts did, and the English conclusion, demonstrates the Pequots were playing a game they would never be allowed to win...the true nature and rational of the murder of John Oldham may never be fully known. In this episode we will examine some of the facts that we do know of these events.
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After the murder of John Stone, the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay came to terms with the Pequot Nation through an agreement known as The Treaty of 1634. The terms definitively favored the English. They took full advantage of the provisions afforded them. Within two years, they were very well established in Connecticut. If nothing else, they were determined.
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In 1633 the seemingly invincible Pequot Nation suddenly found themselves dealing with multiple crises. Their stable leadership was gone. Their commanding population was eroding. The world was changing and they had real enemies. One group they had not had a lot of interaction with was the English...but that was about to change...the chain reaction that was set in motion when the Dutch established The House of Good Hope would prove to be disastrous. Their troubles really began with the death of John Stone.
Show Notes for Ep. 36
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Who were the Pequots, and what happened to them? In this episode, we will be introduced to the Pequot nation. They enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top. Where did they come from? What were the dynamics that drove their world?
Show Notes for Ep. 35
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John Underhill had really done it all. After his arrival in 1630, he was very active for whomever he was working for at any given time. In his later years, living under Dutch rule, he maintained an unusual flair for public service and controversy. In our final episode looking at the life of Captain John Underhill we'll find out that he lived more life in his twilight years than many could imagine. Whether you love him or hate him, John Underhill led a fascinating life. It was better than fiction.
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John Underhill lived enough for two men while serving the New England colonies. It was not enough. In the 1640s he left his English responsibilities behind and began an aggressive military campaign against many of the native groups located in New Netherland. Like his time in the service of the English Puritans, this was a bloody, violent time. John Underhill is the embodiment of that certain type of person almost every growing and expanding society needs. Those willing to do the dirty work behind the scenes. His hands would be blood red once again.
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We have been developing the advent of Puritan society in New England. We have met several characters and worked through several events that helped to establish Puritan dominance. In today's episode, we are going to take a detour and introduce some of the events and people that were directly involved in the American Revolution. We are going to fast forward over 100 years and talk about The French and Indian War, it's provocation, and it's conclusion. We'll also introduce George III in a way you may not have thought about him. These are three short blogs presented together that we think will draw a good framework for future episodes.
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John Underhill had an interesting life. There always seems to be a bigger than life aspect to his experiences. He was a part of some of the biggest controversies in Puritan New England. His service in New Netherland would be just as controversial. The backstory to his arrival is fascinating. He truly was a unique man for a unique time. In this episode we'll examine the rapidly changing atmosphere in the Dutch colony that precipitated John Underhill's arrival. Buckle your seat belt; the narrative will move pretty quickly.
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There were many men who helped shape the Colonial landscape of New England. Many dynamic and energetic men. One of the most prolific, and active men of the 1630s had to be John Underhill. When we last met, we developed a little of his family background. This episode we will look at his time among the English colonies. He held positions in Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, New Haven, New Hampshire, and played a major role in the Mystic Massacre. It was not always pretty. We are building toward his second career in New Netherlands...that's right: this episode will only cover half of his story.
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We often consider the English Colonization of North America in the 17th century along the lines of national identity and pride. The English against the French. The English against the Spanish. Or, to a lesser extent, the English against the Dutch. These considerations are true but they are not the whole truth. The united front we often imagine within England at this time did not exist. There was much infighting and jockeying for power. Many great and powerful men fell victim to their own ambitions, and to the ambitions of others. These defeats often spanned generations within influential families. The 2nd Earl of Essex, Robert Devereux, was such a man who fell victim to his own ambition. John Edward Underhill also fell victim to the Earl's ambition and so did his son. John Underhill, although born into a prominent family in England, spent a large portion of his life in the Netherlands. He was later hired by English colonizers in New England as a soldier. John Underhill had an amazing career within both the English and Dutch colonies. Why did his family flee England? Join us in this episode of History Comes Alive and find out!
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Imagine a New England without the Puritan Oligarchy... it almost happened. In our last episode, we met the young John Mason. Navy seaman, pirate, and Colonial Governor. In this episode, we'll consider his later years. The active military service, the business ventures, his various colonial endeavors. We'll meet a man whose resume stands up to any of his contemporaries. A man who represents the other side of the colonial "coin" of the Puritan movement. From Newfoundland through the southern colonies of Maine and New Hampshire John Mason seemed to be everywhere. All the while participating in monumental fashion in both the war with Spain in 1625 and then France in 1627. His patrons and contacts included some of the most powerful and influential men of his day. He served them all with distinction, while contributing to the well being of the common man as well. Listen and see if his story does not inspire you! There are few among us that could keep his pace for a short time, let alone the 25 years he did. He died, suddenly, still in the throws of an extraordinary life, fully engaged and on his way to a new adventure. An adventure that, if completed, would have changed the English colonial landscape in New England permanently. Imagine a New England without the Puritan Oligarchy... it almost happened.
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We've seen the advancement of the Pilgrims and Puritans into New England. We've begun to understand their challenges and opportunities in the new world. With expansion came tension. New England was not the only northern colonialism taking place. There was Newfoundland and hopes for New Scotland. These areas were colonized by a different group of men. Non-Puritans. They looked South for their expansion. As they moved south, their settlements moved ever closer to New England. There were councils like The Council for New England and The Scottish Privy Council. There were men of position and ambition like Sir William Alexander, the Earl of Stirling and Ferdinand Gorges. These all played a role in the arrival of John Mason to the New England Region. His story is remarkable. His contributions to the development of English Colonialism in these Northern regions were significant. In this episode we'll meet John Mason and follow him through the early years of his career. From his misfortunes to his ultimate successes in Newfoundland...and the opportunities they afforded him.
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In this episode, we tie up some loose ends in our narrative about both Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson. These two characters represent the same coin. The focus of each seems to have represented both sides. Roger Williams challenged the civil magistrates. Anne Hutchinson challenged the theocracy that was Massachusetts Bay. Together they left a legacy that inspired generations. The battles they fought can still teach us today. What happened to the Huchinson family after they were forced out of Massachusetts Bay was tragic. The mantle picked up by Roger Williams in the years after his banishment was astounding. As we wrap up our time with these two trail blazers we will consider the fallout of their lives, but also, deviating more than usual I will share more of my personal opinion on what this time in history tells me. How do the events and actions of the 1630s Bible State compare to the events we are witnessing in our day? Are there parallels? What can we take away from the narrative? It's the principles that are most important...how we conduct ourselves as a society and as individuals, which tells us a lot about who we really are.
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In our last episode, we were introduced to Anne Hutchinson. A strong willed and intelligent Puritan woman who developed a following among not just the women of her day, but men as well. Men of influence. Men of authority. In this episode we'll see what happened to Anne Hutchinson and her supporters. As we follow the storyline we'll realize that the bigger issues of conscience and conviction are situations we can all identify with. This is a story filled with emotional and philosophical drama. Few of us have ever had to take a stand like Anne Hutchinson. Few of us will ever have to take such a stand alongside a friend. In the end, it was not just Anne Hutchinson who was destroyed but everybody around her. Either by forfeiture of their own livelihoods or the denial of their own consciences...What would you have done? What would you do now? Could this type of scenario happen today? Are there parallels to our own generation? Have you ever asked yourself what part you would play? Sometimes, self examination, in the shadow of controversy, reveals a side of ourselves we'd rather not acknowledge, but really should.
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On the heels of the stifling of Roger Williams, there arose another threat of dissent for the Puritan magistrates to wrestle with. Roger Williams had challenged the Bible State on issues revolving around freedom of conscience and how property ought to be purchased and distributed. Anne Hutchinson's threat ran deeper. It threatened not only the society being built, it threatened to divide the leadership. Her challenges and struggle left her isolated. She was of strong character and convictions; she had been raised for this challenge and embraced it. Though most of the Puritan elite had begun to rally against her, she stood her ground.
In this episode, we will develop the woman who was Anne Hutchinson. Her background and convictions. We'll set the stage for her final showdown with the magistrates of Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony. The struggle of Anne Hutchinson is a struggle many of us can relate to. It goes beyond the subject matter of her day and has much to tell us about the times we live in; her shadow runs long on our culture... even to this day.
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Roger Williams was a provocative character in a world full of provocative characters. He had a life before and after his banishment. In our last episode we established his identity. He was a Puritan. He challenged the accepted relationship between church and state in Massachusetts Bay Colony. He refused church membership. He questioned the prevailing views on land acquisition. For these positions and more he was banished from the colony. Instead of becoming a footnote of history he made his own. In this episode, we will explore what came next. His legacy includes good relations with the natives, a recognized authority on native life, he opened Colonial America to Quakers, Baptists, and Jews, he was an abolitionist against the legal introduction of slavery. Most importantly, he maintained a lifelong dedication to the concept of freedom of conscience. A dedication we all benefit from to this current age.
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You may have heard of Roger Willimas. You may even recognize him as the founder of Rhode Island. But you may not know the whole story. His was really a story of bravery and personal conviction. Although he was a Puritan, he posed serious challenges to the Puritan leadership of Massachusetts Bay Colony. His challenges led to trials, banishment, and ultimately fleeing Salem into the wilderness. In this episode we will examine some of the controversies surrounding Roger Williams including freedom of conscience, attendance of Anglican worship services, and royal charters. Not from a contemporary mindset but that of a 17th century Puritan in New England. Our story will lead us to the great escape. Eluding Captain John Underhill, Roger Williams settled in today's Rhode Island.
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Building wealth and trade relationships requires at least two parties and a common currency and exchange. Once found, it is usually beneficial to at least one party to keep the relationship exclusive. This can be tricky. It can take discipline and a strategy to keep the primary goal or focus in sight. What happens when another party threatens to disrupt the arrangement? In this episode we examine the cause of English involvement in the Wampum trade. How they got involved. What they did. How the Dutch inadvertently handed them their golden ticket. We will see the shrewdness of the Dutch. After identifying the English threat and assessing the fortifications of Plymouth they employed a strategy of providing the English with wampum and pointing them away from the Dutch interests. We'll see the beginning of true English dominance and how they quickly targeted the heart of the Dutch enterprise. The Dutchmen; Jaques Elekes, Peter Minuit, and Isaak de Raisiers were shrewd and capable. Quick to capitalize on opportunities others may have missed. In the end they would be victims of the English population explosion for more than their own negligence. We won't finish the narrative today, but we'll introduce it.
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In order to achieve high level, wealth building trade between peoples you must have a system in place that benefits all parties. Everybody must be able to provide a product or service that is of value to the others. Everyone brings something with the expectation of receiving something. In Colonial New England and farther into the interior there was a European need for furs. They were not always readily available near the coast. The Europeans were not necessarily the hunters. The natives were. The Europeans were the buyers in this exchange. From the start it was a difficult process to trade. European items were hard to transport and often had little value after the initial purchase. They would only need so many pots and pans... There was also the issue of navigation. How could one get to the potential customers and various groups for trade? The answer was found in the intermediary tribes who often acted as trade organizers. The last hurdle was currency. If many groups were to come together to rally around the European desire for fur, there would have to be a currency that appealed to all parties. A currency that was measurable and transportable. A currency that had continued and sustained value among the natives. That currency was wampum. It's "discovery" by Dutchmen Joques Elekes would change the course of everyone's history... everyone's.
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The native tribes of contemporary Massachusetts and Rhode Island had organized societies and complex geo-political relationships at the dawn of English Colonialism. The arrival of the Pilgrims changed the dynamics dramatically. Massasoit, Sachem of the Wampanoag Tribe quickly realized the benefit of friendship with Plymouth Colony. He pledged his loyalty and helped them to get established. He offered the services of Squanto and Hobomock to make sure they learned the necessary skills to survive in their new land. History remembers Squanto. It has been kind to him. History has largely forgotten the contributions of Massasoit and his very faithful servant, Hobomock. As we more closely consider the events of those early years at Plymouth we may find that the popular, romanticized image of a friendly and humble Squanto may be just that, a popular, romanticized image. What was the tension that existed between Squanto and Massasoit? Why was Squanto such a thorn in the side of his own sachem? What role did Hobomock play at Plymouth? Why has history been so kind to Squanto and neglectful, dismissive of Massasoit and Hobomock? In this episode we attempt to work through these questions as we explore the events surrounding Squanto's service at Plymouth. It was a service that divided tribes and people alike. It divided Massasoit and the Pilgrims. The narrative reads like a cheap dime store novel with all the imagery of a big budget Hollywood movie. It's a fascinating tale that you won't soon forget.
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What role did religion play in Native American life? The religion or religious practice of the Natives along the Eastern Coast was much debated and observed. Some like Thomas Morton challenged the idea of organized Native religion. Others believed the Native worship and belief bore a resemblance to ancient Judaism. In this "bonus" episode (and precursor to our final look at Massasoit and his life), we'll discuss some of the pivotal activities and beliefs that drove the culture. It is just a snapshot of a much larger discussion. As we pare down our narrative we'll consider the power and prestige that a name can bring. As we pare down our narrative we'll consider the importance and the societal standing, how their native contemporaries may have perceived both Squanto and Hobomock. This consideration may lead us to rethink and reexamine the narrative that we have always enjoyed. Massasoit was a shrewd man. He was calculating. He was operating within the norms of his society. A society contemporary culture seldom really considers from the native perspective. We should.
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Massasoit was a tremendous friend and benefactor to the Plymouth Colony. He was a stabilizing force throughout the Bay Region for them. He also was a beneficiary of Colonial activity. As more English arrived tensions grew. In this episode we'll look at the short lived colony of Wessaguasset. The problems they created and how they impacted the Pilgrims at Plymouth. We'll pick up the narrative the previous summer and follow it through to late March (Julian Calendar) or early April (Gregorian Calendar) of 1623. Miles Standish. again, will prove his worth. Although Massasoit plays a minor role in our narrative, he plays a substantial role in the planning and execution of the final events at Wessaguasset. Finally, why is a story about Wessaguasset Colony named "The Weymouth Massacre''? Join us to find out.
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The arrival of Samoset and then Massasoit proved to be a real benefit to the Pilgrims of Plymouth. Like all political alliances there were a few hiccups along the way. There were also some personal interactions that helped to promote the relationship for another generation. In this episode we'll take a look at some of these events and realize the art of diplomacy and relationship management was alive and well in the early days of English New England. These early friendships would have a big impact on everybody. As we move forward with our own narrative we'll begin to see the dedication they could take. The risks and the rewards.
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What happened when the Pilgrims finally settled in their new homeland? What were those initial interactions with their new neighbors like? What kinds of leadership did these interactions require? Demonstrating courage in the face of danger is Leadership. Encouraging those around you to exercise discipline in the face of danger is Leadership. Exercising restraint in the present situation with a vision for the future is Leadership. Colonial America was full of leaders. Full of men with courage, discipline, and vision. Men who left a lasting legacy long after they passed from the scene. Massasoit was not just one of those men. He exemplified leadership before leaders. The influential Wampanoag leader befriended the Pilgrims early on. Through many challenges he remained true to his word toward the Pilgrims. His benevolence ensured their success. He is a man largely forgotten whose life and times were extraordinary. Over the next two weeks we will examine his impact on early colonial New England. Over the next few months we will flesh out his influence that lasted decades after his death. In Massasoit the English colonials found a benefactor whose leadership proved to be as vital as any Englishman's. The beauty of the friendship is just how determined Massasoit...in a hostile and changing world, in the face of many dangers and challenges, he stayed the course...Fifty years after he befriended the vulnerable group his son, Metacom, reminded the English leaders that in their early days, Massasoit had been "as a great man and the English as a little child". It's a great story.
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After considering the social, economic, and cultural events shaping Europe throughout the 16th and early 17th century it is easy to understand the advent of Colonialism. The parallel question is what was the environment like in North America? More specifically, the region that would become New England. What were the experiences of the native people already here? What was their initial reaction to the European arrival? How did they perceive the cross cultural interaction? Were they unified in their response? Did they see advantages or dangers? How did the environmental, social, and religious structure affect their response? In this episode, we'll begin to examine the native positions as they encountered the newcomers... the process may well leave you questioning how the Europeans were ever able to get a foothold, let alone take over... This is not only the parallel to our last episode but the launchpad to the development of English colonization in New England.
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How can we understand population migration? If one people group replaces another for numerical or physical control did they settle the land or conquer it? If a people is recognized as the conqueror then it stands to reason that someone was conquered. Often this can involve violence. What justifies these population migrations? Can they be justified? Every culture must work through their own beliefs on these questions. Often it's a matter of degrees. Often there are a variety of reasons, or explanations, that at least intellectually capture the rationale. As Europe began it's colonial period there were outside forces that caused the Pope to define what a "just war" was. As this definition was carried out to its most logical conclusion many European monarchies entered the European colonial games. There were also growing economies and a new demand for exotic and froeign goods. These new found lands, people, and markets not only expanded the economy, they caused major changes in the fabric of society. In this episode we will explore the implications for these changes. How the English understood this and what their response was.
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When you line up an all-star team, with deep pockets and ambition, you expect to win. The New Haven Colony began with a lot of promise. They had BIG dreams. They took BIG swings. They experienced BIG events. In the end, they were absorbed into the larger Connecticut Colony. Why? Who were the people that populated New Haven? What did they do? What went wrong? These are some of the questions we will answer in this episode. These tough-minded and dedicated colonists left a lasting legacy. They impacted their contemporary world. They had an interesting storyline. In this episode, we will examine their legacy. In a future episode, we will look a little closer at their most notorious and damning activity... New Haven's partisanship may have been their greatest sin. It was a partisanship that cost them everything.
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In the popular history of Colonial America there are certain colonies and groups we have all become very familiar with. Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, the Puritans, the Pilgrims, the Mayflower. What about the lesser known people and places? What roles did they play? Is there any value in exploring their stories? In this episode we will introduce Saybrook Colony. An early English colony that was birthed out of the Massachusetts Bay colony and played a significant early role in the New England region. The location and the people associated with it make it a fascinating storyline. One often overlooked. Saybrook was a small colony with a short life but a big impact on the entire region. This is the first of several episodes that will feature this forgotten colony.
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In this episode of History Comes Alive we will take a small break from developing the New England Colonies. I had a chance to sit down with Doug Stuart of the Libertarian Christian Institute a few weeks ago. We discussed the approach I have taken to develop the American story. This is a standard Q & A with long format answers. I appreciated the opportunity to have this discussion. I hope you enjoy it! BTW, Tajikistan does exist! Doug's questioning of their existence fell right into the tenor of the conversation at that point. It broke my confidence, for a moment... LOL! Many thanks to the folks at LCI for the opportunity! If you like HCA and have never heard of LCI, give them a listen. They offer a unique perspective and great format of interviews, roundtables, and conversations about many of the issues facing our society today! https://libertarianchristians.com Much thanks to Chris at Podsworth Media for helping to coordinate it all!
Plymouth Colony was a success! Maybe not overnight but they survived. The next success story was The Massachusetts Bay Colony about a decade later. What happened in those years in between? Were there any other attempts to colonize the region? Once settled, how did Massachusetts Bay Colony differ from Plymouth? What were some of the well known settlements that emerged from this venture? How did they manage to attract some many like minded people. How was it organized and who were the prominent leaders? Why was Massachusetts Bay so much more successful than the Plymouth Colony? In this episode we will attempt to answer, in part, these types of questions. The answers will help to set us up for the future. Massachusetts Bay Colony would come to dominate the New England landscape for centuries. They impacted expansion and settlement well beyond their own borders, relationships with the natives, development of commerce, as well as, non-Puritan colonial expansion. In this episode we will begin to lay the groundwork for regional development that would ultimately take the New England Colonies right to the War for Independence.
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Who were the people that landed at Plymouth Rock? What took place just prior to the landing. Was it a smooth process? How did they come to land at Plymouth Rock? What is their story? Were they the first English speaking people to explore and settle in the region known as New England? How did they become known as "the Pilgrims"? Who was Edwin Sandys? Lastly, what does Leiden, Holland, The Netherlands have to do with English Colonialism? These are just some of the questions we will answer in this Episode as we develop a brief overview of the beachhead for English Colonization established near Cape Cod, Massachusetts. At a place remembered as Plymouth Rock.
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The English Colonial conquest of the East Coast of North America did not happen overnight, but over generations. Who were these people? What skills and background did they bring with them? Why were the English so much more prone to develop permanent settlements so far from home? What did they find? The answers may surprise you. They were not us. We are not them. In this episode we will consider the mindset of the first permanent colonials, as well as, what kept them coming, in spite of hardship.
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After the dramatic demise of the Spanish Armada Elizabeth, and all of England, was safe thanks to the heroic efforts of men like Francis Drake. The future was bright and their dominance on the seas was established. It would be a long time before that reality was challenged. Or would it? In the year following the Spanish Armada, 1589, England launched an Armada of her own. It was to be a joint effort between the English and the Dutch. If successful it would have the capacity to inflict even greater damage on the writhing Spanish navy. It would liberate Portugal. It would establish a permanent English base in the Azores to further harass Spanish shipping. Why have we not heard about this noble venture? What happened to the English Armada? What lessons can we learn from it today? In this Episode of History Comes Alive we'll examine the English Armada and look for the wisdom it offers.
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It had been a century of national preparation. It had started as a general vision with Henry VII, It was honed and expanded in scope by Henry VIII, against a recognized threat from France. It was put to the ultimate test by Elizabeth against her recognized threat, Spain. Against the backdrop of the Reformation, the emergence of the Nation State, the beginnings of European Colonization around the world, and the interactions and intermarriages between Europe's leading monarchies, the English throne built not only an elaborate system of land defense against invasion, they reinvented the concept of naval warfare. Nationalizing a permanent navy, and rethinking what a navy should be used for. Not so much the traditional grappling and troop transport, but repelling an invasion through speed, skill, and distance shelling. The event remembered as The Spanish Armada still captures the imagination to this day. We have traced the origins and provocations that lead to the Armada. Now it's time to expand the narrative to include the actual destruction of the Spanish fleet. The question above and beyond the poor planning of the invasion by Spain, is a matter of degrees as to whether the Armada was defeated by England (which it was, soundly), or simply disintegrated as time went by...In this episode we leave the Henrys (all five from our larger narrative), and the Marys (three from the narrative) behind and focus on the rise of men like John Hawkins, Francis Drake, and Walter Raleigh. With all the events, heroes, and villains, Elizabeth still emerges as the catalyst and cauterizing figure of the age.
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Every good story has a clear beginning, an opening to the narrative, a middle where the bulk of the necessary information is revealed, and an end where resolution is found. In our last episode we opened the storyline of the Spanish Armada by backing up 100 years and introduced the atmosphere that helped to prepare England for this classic showdown, as well as, some of the precipitating events and controversies. In this episode we will continue the storyline by developing the "squishy" middle. Developing the narrative from a purely English perspective we will look at England from within. The slow march to naval superiority really picks up steam during the reign of Elizabeth. The interaction of the players is exciting. The outcome is all too obvious from decades away. But, like a car accident you are driving by, the events are hard to turn away from. Although the focus of the story is the three Marys, the star of the show is Elizabeth. The most cunning and ruthless of all.
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1588 witnessed one of the most famous naval battles in Western history. The mighty Spanish Armada was repelled by the upstart English Navy. It was the culmination of a century's worth of English preparation. It is remembered as almost miraculous. But was it? Beginning with Henry VII and continuing with his son, the famous (or infamous) Henry VIII, England had been preparing for this battle long before anyone knew it would come. What was the motivation for the development of the Tudor Navy? What was the politics? Who were the men involved? What were the scandals? Does this epic battle represent the end of Spanish dominance or the rise of English superiority? Did Spain's power wane, or did England's eclipse Spain at her height? The back story is as exciting as the battle itself.
Learn more about Jeff and connect with him through his website: https://historywithjeff.com
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Once upon a time, the "Dutch Netherlands" were a only a smaller part of the larger Spanish European holdings. Then they weren't. What happened to the Dutch after they shed Spanish rule? How did independence suit them? Were they successful without the Spanish? If so, where? What is their legacy? Did they take part in the Colonial Games of Europe? How big a footprint did they leave? Were they in North America? If so, what happened? In this episode, we explore just how big an impact this small nation had... and it was an impressive run.
Learn more about Jeff and connect with him through his website: https://historywithjeff.com
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In the latter half of the 16th century, Spain became embroiled in a struggle with one of her tributaries. This was not a far away land, but very close to home. The Dutch quest for independence threatened to destabilize much of the European world. What was the French reaction? What were they doing during these years, and why did they not take a more active role on one side or the other? Their story is the stuff movies and fantasies are made of: civil wars, assassinations, domestic infighting, and finally, official "peace" within.
Learn more about Jeff and connect with him through his website: https://historywithjeff.com
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How important were the Dutch Netherlands at the close of the 16th century? What role did they play on the Continent? In this episode, we will continue our refresher and primer of the primary people groups represented in the North American Theater of European colonization. The two early heavyweights for our story are the Dutch Netherlands and England. Their stories are fairly intertwined. They needed one another. Much of their future success was inextricably linked. Our current focus will be on the Dutch quest for independence. Their quest helped give rise to the concept of the modern nation state. It is quite a story.
Learn more about Jeff and connect with him through his website: https://historywithjeff.com
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Who occupied the geography of the current United States of America at the dawn of English Colonization? Who were the players? What were the teams? Before we explore English colonization, it is important to recognize the various people and people groups that were here. There were native tribes and many different Europeans. This episode briefly highlights some of the people and the European mindsets that were here in the opening decades of the 17th century. This is a primer for our upcoming epic saga.
Learn more about Jeff and connect with him through his website: https://historywithjeff.com
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